I bring them here because I know they’ll be safe with me. It started with one, but now there are about ten of them.”
“But why keep them in there?” I demanded. “There are too many!
And I’m allergic to some breeds. If I brought them inside, I’d end up in the hospital. But I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while they suffered.
Here, I can make sure they have food and water.”
My anger melted away immediately. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” I asked.
“Because I’ve seen what happens when people take animals away to shelters. They put them down or they just end up on the streets again.”
I was silent for a moment, absorbing everything she said.
I’d heard about those places too. “I can help,” I said.
“Help me?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes,” I affirmed. “We can’t keep them all here, but maybe I can take some to my house.
Between the two of us, we can find good homes for them. My brother-in-law is a vet; he’ll know what to do.”
In the end, I took most of the dogs over to my place, allowing them to roam free in the yard. We set up bowls of food and water everywhere, and I arranged a few mats and blankets.
The next day, my brother-in-law came over with his team and took most of the malnourished dogs away.
“I promise, Maya,” he said. “I’ll treat these sweet little things and find them a place to stay.” I ended up keeping two of the puppies because nothing was better than having furry friends to love.
What would you have done?
